The truth about this surgery

August 13, 2001

I have learned first handed some Doctors are just interested in getting the

surgery, I have found some Doctors dont even know about the D/S or just

refuse to inform you because they only do the RNY.

To many people dont do enough research they only look at what the end result

will be, IT IS IMPERATIVE to ask questions such as "

How many deaths during the surgery?

How many deaths post op?

How many Leaks?

How many of your surgeries have you done?

When you have such a high BMI, you dont even consider going to a doctor who

has never perform this surgery unless he is with an experience surgery, If

you cant fit on a plane, rent a van. It it is a matter of life, if you dont

want to take a plane or train rent a van. You can shop around for that and

rent it for a week for $200. What ever it takes. I realize money is tight,

it was for me but I prayed, I saved, until I could do this.

I investigated several Doctors and talk to a few until I made my most

educated choice. Not ever Doctor is in the patient best interest but looking

for the money from the surgery it is one of the better paid ones from

insurance comapny and I got that from several General surgeons going into

this surgery.

Because of Dr Husted Poor judgement and not being experience enough many

people will be scared. Don't be scared. Educate yourself, Pray and you will

make the informed decision. Some dr now on high BMI patients are doing this

surgery int wo parts. Why? This is because it is safer for the Patient and

more healthy do to the most extensive part when you have lost more weight.

The best surgeons are Docotors who do both surgeries because they know what

is the best for you but you also must think it is the best for you.

My Doctor has suggested the RNY but I wanted the D/s and when he asked me

why, I was informed and he said the I could do either of them. I wanted the

quality of life, I did not want to ever have to go throught this surgery

again and I have read some RNY having the D/S after, so why not just get it

done right the first time. I had ever bit of inrormation I could get. I

spoke to as many patients I could who had both surgeries ad I found the

D/sers were happy.

I do not agree that if you know a Dr is bad that you dont give your opinion

to another. We are a support group and that is what it is all about. Since

it is America, everyone has the right to choose what to do. But a patient os

such a high BMI needs and extremely experience surgeon and there are only 3

or 4 surgeons I would have considered if I was in that position based on

records, stats, reputation and skill. One is a Dr in Baltzaar in Spain which

is hard if you have to travel to Spain, so that would have left me with only

3 choices. I dont care but I would have gottten myself to the best Dr who

specializes in the extreme obese. This is your life and YES you have to be

careful and educated and talk to other patients who have this surgery. I

know someone has to be the first having this surgery but some one with less

BMI would be a more suitable less risk patient.

No one has to be scared, you have to be Educated on the surgeries, informed

from every source you can find and confident in the skill fo your surgeon.

Travel to the best, it is a once in a life time trip for the quality of your

life, for the rest of your life. Make the time. I also beleive to Pray, the

power of prayer will lead you in the right direction if you ask.

Anne

Dr Gagner

1/8/01

August 13, 2001